Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for accredited LPN schools near Brookfield
Demand for licensed practical nurses in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area remains steady as healthcare systems expand outpatient and long-term care services. Brookfield’s location gives residents access to accredited LPN programs within a 75-mile radius, from Milwaukee technical colleges to campuses in surrounding counties.
Choosing a program means weighing net tuition (ranging from under $10,000 to over $25,000) against NCLEX pass rates, clinical hours, and schedule flexibility. A high first-time pass rate signals strong preparation for the licensing exam.
New LPNs entering the market can expect steady demand, particularly in long-term care settings where wages often exceed the national median for the occupation.
Selecting an LPN program in the Brookfield area means balancing location, cost, and career goals. The following schools offer practical nursing diplomas within commuting distance or via hybrid formats, each with distinct strengths from evening scheduling to accelerated completion and pathways to RN degrees. Compare net price, graduation rates, and program highlights to find the best fit for your timeline and budget.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI | $15,000/yr (net price) | Southeast Wisconsin career changers | |
Located just west of Milwaukee in Wauwatosa, Bryant & Stratton offers the closest campus-based LPN program to Brookfield. The Practical Nursing Diploma is a 12-month, 41-credit program with ACEN accreditation and approval from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Clinical partnerships with HCA Hospitals and Sentara Healthcare provide hands-on experience, and credits can transfer into the associate nursing degree. While the institution-wide graduation rate is lower than some peers, the program’s accelerated format and local convenience appeal to career changers and working adults in the Milwaukee metro area.
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| #2 | Lakeshore Technical College | Cleveland, WI | $10,000/yr (net price) | Working adults needing evening classes | |
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland offers a part-time evening Practical Nursing program designed for students who work during the day. The 31-credit, five-term curriculum includes clinical rotations at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Health Care Excellence, and NCLEX-PN pass rates consistently exceed the national average. Total program cost is approximately $7,687, making it one of the most affordable options in the region. Admission requires a HESI entrance exam and completion of prerequisites, and the program holds ACEN continued accreditation with explicit authorization from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing for licensure preparation.
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| #3 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Future RNs seeking a BSN ladder | |
UW-Oshkosh’s Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing is part of a unique 1+2+1 collaborative model with Fox Valley Technical College, allowing students to earn a technical diploma, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree in sequence. The hybrid program combines online coursework with in-person clinicals, providing flexibility for students balancing other commitments. Multiple start dates and consistently high NCLEX pass rates make it a compelling choice, though it is located about 80 miles from Brookfield. The institution-wide graduation rate is 46%, and the net price of $14,305 reflects the UW System’s public university cost structure.
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| #4 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | $5,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton delivers a Practical Nursing technical diploma aligned with the statewide WTCS curriculum, ensuring credit transfer within Wisconsin’s technical college system. The 30-credit, full-time campus program boasts a high institution-wide graduation rate of 65% and a retention rate of 80%, signaling strong student support. Admission is competitive due to high demand, requiring a 2.75 high school GPA and a skills assessment. The net price is $11,407, and graduates report solid earnings. While over 100 miles from Brookfield, the program’s quality reputation and transfer pathways attract students willing to relocate for training.
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| #5 | Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | Green Bay, WI | |||
Rasmussen University’s Practical Nursing Diploma is designed for rapid entry into the field, completing in as few as 12 months with eight start dates per year. The program uses a hybrid model of online theory and in-person clinicals, with a flat tuition rate for Wisconsin residents. While campus locations are primarily outside the immediate Brookfield area (Green Bay is the nearest), the accelerated format and no prerequisite requirements lower barriers for motivated students. The institution-wide graduation rate is 57%, and median graduate debt is $20,899, though program-level earnings data are not yet reported.
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| #6 | Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | $5,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Western Technical College in La Crosse offers a Practical Nursing program that follows the WTCS curriculum framework, ensuring consistent quality and credit portability within Wisconsin. The campus-only program boasts high NCLEX-PN pass rates and a patient-centered care philosophy. With a net price of $11,008 and median graduate debt of $11,500, it represents solid value, but the location over 180 miles from Brookfield may be impractical for daily commuters. The institution-wide graduation rate is 34%, and retention rate is 45%, suggesting a need for student support services.
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| #7 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire provides a one-year, face-to-face Practical Nursing diploma with a strong track record of graduate success, including a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate and 86% employment in the field. The program is accredited by ACEN and has a clear pathway to an associate degree in nursing. While the distance from Brookfield (over 200 miles) is significant, graduates report an average starting salary of $56,550, and major employers like Mayo Clinic recruit from the program. Net price is $12,285, with median debt of $11,432.
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The NCLEX-PN pass rate tells you what percentage of graduates from a program passed the national licensing exam on their first try. It’s one of the strongest public indicators of how well a school prepares students for the realities of practical nursing. Below are the most recent first-time pass rates for LPN programs within a 75-mile radius of Brookfield, drawn from the Wisconsin DSPS 2024 annual report.
For context, the most recent national average first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for all candidates was 74.5% in 2023. Each of these area programs outperforms that benchmark, with Blackhawk Technical College and Herzing College (WI) significantly exceeding it. A statewide Wisconsin average is not published separately in the DSPS report, but these figures suggest strong program quality across the region.
A program’s NCLEX-PN pass rate is closely monitored by state boards of nursing. Sustained low pass rates can trigger probation or loss of approval. For students, a high rate signals that the curriculum aligns with exam expectations and that clinical training is effective. When comparing programs, look for rates consistently above the national average over multiple years, not just a single spike. Ask admissions if they provide tutoring or remediation for students at risk of falling behind.
Getting into an LPN program is more than meeting a GPA cutoff, it’s the first step in a licensure pipeline that spans exams, background checks, and state fees. Understanding the full sequence helps you budget time and money before you ever set foot in a clinical rotation.
Most Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) practical nursing programs near Brookfield require these before you enroll:
After graduating from an approved program, you’ll apply for licensure by examination through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) LicensE online portal. The process includes:
Plan to take the NCLEX-PN soon after graduation; if a retake is necessary, DSPS charges a $15 reapplication fee. Wisconsin is an NLC compact state, which streamlines multi-state practice after licensure.
WTCS practical nursing programs often have more qualified applicants than seats, creating waitlists. To improve your chances, apply to multiple schools within a commutable radius of Brookfield, including those in nearby counties. Complete prerequisites early, aim for scores above the minimum cutoffs, and submit all materials before deadlines. Some programs use a point-based ranking that rewards healthcare experience or prior degrees. By understanding the full admission-to-licensure timeline, you can avoid gaps that delay your entry into the workforce.
How long does it take to become an LPN in the Brookfield area, and what will you learn along the way?
Most practical nursing programs near Brookfield run about 12 months full-time, with part-time options extending to 18 months. The full-time diploma at Herzing University Brookfield, for example, spans 12 months and is offered on-campus. Total credit hours typically range from 40 to 50 depending on the school, though exact numbers vary.
LPN training follows a structured arc that builds from foundational concepts to hands-on patient care. Core courses include fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, and mental health nursing. Programs incorporate lab simulations and supervised clinical rotations to reinforce classroom learning. At Herzing, clinical experiences cover medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric settings, giving students broad exposure.
Rotations are a central part of any LPN program. They require students to practice skills in real healthcare environments, often under the guidance of experienced nurses. At Herzing’s Brookfield campus, rotations take place at local hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, with shifts that can include early mornings, days, evenings, and some weekends. This prepares students for the realities of nursing schedules.
While many students choose the fast-paced full-time track, working adults often need flexibility. Herzing and nearby Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) schools like Waukesha County Technical College and Milwaukee Area Technical College may offer day and evening class sections. Part-time study, where available, spreads the curriculum over 18 months or more, reducing the weekly time commitment but extending the total timeline. Because clinical schedules are set by partner sites, students should expect some variation in hours from term to term. Always confirm current scheduling options directly with the program, as availability can change.
Earnings for LPNs can vary widely by location, experience, and work setting. While detailed wage breakdowns for the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan area are not provided here, national figures offer a relevant reference point. In 2023, the median annual wage for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses nationwide was $59,730. The lowest 10% earned below $45,670, while the top 10% earned above $77,870. The middle 50% ranged from $50,640 to $67,140.1 These figures suggest that LPNs in the Brookfield area, which sits within the greater Milwaukee region, can expect competitive pay relative to national averages.
The BLS projects national employment for LPNs to grow by 3% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, adding roughly 54,400 openings each year due to turnover and new positions.2 Wisconsin-specific demand is expected to mirror this trend, with particular strength in long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health services as the state’s population ages. Graduates of LPN programs in Wisconsin, including those near Brookfield, will find opportunities across Waukesha County and the broader metro area in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics.
LPNs advancing to RN have two primary bridge paths: an LPN-to-ADN, typically completed in 12–18 months at a technical college, or an LPN-to-BSN, which takes about three years and culminates in a bachelor’s degree. Both options grant credit for prior LPN education, cutting roughly a year off the traditional timeline.
Several southeastern Wisconsin schools offer LPN-to-ADN bridges. Milwaukee Area Technical College’s LPN to ADN Progression grants up to 19 advanced standing credits and requires 48 additional credits, finish in as few as 12 months. Waukesha County Technical College’s LPN to RN Nursing Bridge places students directly into the third semester of the ADN program after bridge coursework. Moraine Park Technical College’s LPN to ADN Bridge Track, with 68 credits, enters the second year, while Madison College’s Nursing Completion: LPN to ADN (65 credits) admits students into the third semester after a bridge course.
For those targeting a BSN, Herzing University in Brookfield offers an LPN to BSN Bridge. The 120-credit program spans 36 months and provides faster bachelor’s completion than starting from scratch.
The return on investment is clear. In the Milwaukee metro, the salary jump from LPN to RN can add tens of thousands to your annual earnings, making bridge programs a fast-track to higher pay and expanded nursing roles.
Still have questions about LPN programs in Brookfield? Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, drawing on data from our rankings, cost comparisons, and salary analysis. If you need more details, explore the full guide above.
